Volvo Cars and Geely Auto signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday for the automaker to become the exclusive importer and commercial operator for Lynk & Co vehicles across Europe.
The deal would hand the Swedish automaker full control of the Chinese brand’s European sales, servicing, and brand operations — according to Volvo‘s announcement.
The partnership is subject to final agreements.
“With this new arrangement, we will leverage our commercial system to support Lynk & Co‘s growth ambitions in Europe,” said Erik Severinson, Volvo Cars‘ chief commercial officer.
“At the same time, it enables Volvo Cars and our retail partners to address a wider customer base,” the executive added.
Product development, certification, and all operations outside Europe remain with Lynk & Co‘s parent company in China, which is fully owned by Geely Auto Group.
What It Means
The deal formalises and significantly expands an existing relationship. Volvo dealers in select European markets already sell both Volvo and Lynk & Co vehicles at the same locations.
The collaboration was announced in February 2025, shortly after Volvo sold its 30% stake in Lynk & Co to Zeekr as part of Geely Holding’s November 2024 restructuring.
Volvo would take over Lynk & Co‘s entire European commercial operation — importing, distributing, marketing, and selling vehicles — effectively absorbing the brand into its retail system while keeping the two product lines and customer bases separate.
For Volvo, the partnership adds volume and revenue to its dealer network without requiring new product investment while allowing Lynk & Co. to speed up the expansion on the Old Continent.
Lynk & Co in EU
Lynk & Co entered Europe in 2021 with a subscription-only, online-first model that its then-CEO Alain Visser championed as the future of car ownership.
Fleet management costs proved unpredictable, customer complaints grew, and sales remained modest.
Cumulative European registrations reached approximately 90,000 units through September 2025 across all markets.
In mid-2024, the Lynk & Co 01 was temporarily withdrawn from sale due to EU cybersecurity regulations. When it returned, the company began offering traditional purchase and lease options alongside the subscription.
By late 2024, under new CEO Nicolas López Appelgren, Lynk & Co abandoned the online-only model entirely and began building a conventional dealer network.
The subscription model — once the brand’s defining proposition — is being phased out entirely in 2026.
The retail pivot has produced results. Lynk & Co grew from 11 brand experience “Clubs” to more than 125 retail points across 25 European markets by the end of 2025, supported by over 350 authorised workshops.
Three new markets — Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic — were added in 2025, with Southeast European expansion under way through a partnership with distributor SEEAG.
Product Lineup
Lynk & Co currently offers three models in Europe, all manufactured in China.
The 01 is a plug-in hybrid compact SUV with approximately 75 km of electric range.
The 02 is the brand’s first fully electric model, a compact crossover built on the SEA platform shared with the Zeekr X and Volvo EX30, offering up to 445 km of range.
The 02 achieved the highest-ever Euro NCAP safety score for a compact SUV in 2025.
The flagship is the 08, a mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV launched in Europe in mid-2025 with up to 200 km of all-electric range — the longest for any PHEV in Europe — and DC fast-charging capability.
It is priced from approximately €53,000 and earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2025.
All vehicles are subject to the European Union’s tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, though the brand’s emphasis on plug-in hybrids partially mitigates the impact.
Geely’s Corporate Structure
Lynk & Co sits within a complex ownership chain.
In November 2024, Geely Holding restructured its brand portfolio.
Zeekr acquired Volvo‘s 30% stake in Lynk & Co for 5.4 billion yuan and a 20% stake from Geely Auto for 3.6 billion yuan, giving Zeekr 51% control. Geely Auto retained 49%.
The restructuring was designed to reduce overlap and accelerate technology sharing between Zeekr and Lynk & Co, which increasingly compete in adjacent segments.
